Thailand & Laos Experience - 14 days

2012 - Your Journey starts Bangkok, ends Vientiane

DAYS 1-2 - BANGKOK
On arrival in Bangkok, transfer to your hotel and meet your tour leader and the small group you will share your upcoming voyage with for a tour briefing and welcome drinks. Get amongst the action of the bustling streets of Bangkok on a walking tour and see the glittering Grand Palace, board a traditional longtail boat to cruise the Chao Praya River, take an adventurous tuk-tuk to vibrant Chinatown and wander down Sampeng Lane, once infamous for its seedy collection of opium dens and brothels. Savor some of the world’s best Thai cuisine and shop till you drop.
Hotel: I-Residence Bangkok

DAYS 3-4 - RIVER KWAI & KANCHANABURI
Sharpen your culinary skills during an interactive cooking demonstration, before boarding boats which take you to your accommodation for the night, a serene resort surrounded by towering mountains and verdant jungle beside the River Kwai. Discover some of the rich and turbulent history of the region as you head to Hellfire Pass and the Bridge over the River Kwai.
Hotels: Resotel, Felix River Kwai Resort

DAYS 5-6 - CHIANG MAI
A short flight from Bangkok takes you to the jewel of the north, Chiang Mai. Admire sweeping hilltop vistas from the sacred Doi Suthep temple, followed by free time to browse the vivacious night markets, and then see the city’s sights on a fun samlor tour. Plunge into the local culture with visits to a local elephant training camp and orchid farm and learn more about Buddhism when you meet one of the local monks. Free time allows you to pamper yourself with a famous Thai massage, or explore the city further.
Hotel: Rimping Village

DAY 7-8 - CHIANG RAI & PAKBENG
Travel to Chiang Rai, in the heart of the mystical Golden Triangle region. Here, visit a handicraft village and spend an evening wandering lovely Chiang Rai. After crossing the border into Laos, board a private wooden barge for a magical journey floating down the tranquil Mekong River. Gaze at the stunning views as you pass traditional rural scenes and rustic villages. In the old trading post of Pakbeng, the peaceful ambience is extended at your rustic riverside lodge.
Hotels: Laluna Resort, Phetsokxai

DAYS 9-11 - LUANG PRABANG
Climb back aboard the serene cruise and continue to the fabled Luang Prabang. Along the way, stop at a remote hilltribe village and then witness hundreds of Buddha effigies at the Pak Ou Caves. In beautiful Luang Prabang, gain an insight into the culture as you enter ornate monasteries, roam the compelling Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, and converse with local monks. A fun Lao cooking class in a flowering garden tests your culinary skills. Admire the stunning Kuang Si Falls. Rise early to witness the magnificent ancient ritual of local monks collecting alms at dawn, and soak up the town’s relaxed atmosphere with a game of petanque.
Hotel: Sala Prabang (Lodge)

DAYS 12-14 - VIENTIANE
Fly to Vientiane, and experience the old-world charm of the delightful capital, filled with beautiful relics. Visit the interactive COPE centre and gain a valuable insight into the problems UXOs, unexploded bombs, have caused in this peaceful land. Wander the golden-spired Wat Pha That Luang, and Wat Sisaket and then view the Patuxai Monument, Laos’ own Arc de Triomphe. On your last day, enjoy free time until your departure transfer.
Hotel: Mercure Vientiane